About Wright County, MN

Yesterday, I wrote a short comment on one of my associates blogs about a problem I was experiencing with one of my buyers acquiring a property. A short while later, Larry Beitag sent me an email offering to help. Now, Larry does business in Illinois, and we are in Minnesota. However, through his knowledge and referral base, he put me in touch with someone here in Minnesota that can help us with an FHA deal.

Let me tell you, my buyers were impressed that I could get this all accomplished in a few short hours from a contact in New Jersey, to one in Illinois to finding the right lender here in Minnesota. I want to thank Larry and Brad for all their expertise and expediency in helping my buyers. It was amazing!!!!

I've been reading many blogs lately that have to do with focus and positive thinking. I have reread a number of books on the positive mindset.

If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right (or left....behind). When you arise in the morning, you decide how the day will go. Will you meet everyone with a smile and a firm handshake. Keep your expectations right next to you?

Affirmations are a great way to do this. Mine are right on the bathroom mirror. When you remember that you are breaking a habit, whether it is mindless snacking, smoking or harping on yourself, you need all the help you can get. Give it to yourself! And spread it around. Everyone could use a cheerful compliment, or even a comment.

When I go grocery shopping, I greet all the clerks, stockpeople, and exhibitors with a smile and a cheery hello...now when they see me, they remember that. And guess, what? I've gotten three referrals from one grocery store alone....

Keep a smile with you, be enthusiastic, ask questions, love what you do and you will be surprised that amidst all the doom and gloom, your life will change for the better.

Now, I'm working on dreaming my goals. And it's starting to work...I'll keep you posted!!!!!!

I had two couples through an open and later in the day had a woman call me. They all had the same questions on a theme. What can we do now and how will that affect us with the new legislation going through the Congress and the Executive Office. Well, the short answer is....we'll see. The long answer is don't put off your home-seeking quest regardless. Quite a bit of this will be resolved in the next month, we would think. And, if it continues longer, we can gauge our responses...such as the purchase date ...to make it more in line with your best interests. But, this is the time to buy. There has never, almost, a better time to purchase a home since the 40'a or 50's for government incentives and then you had to be a GI. So moving on opportunity is the best incentive to move right now. Up or down or sideways. Get more home, get less home or get into a better location. MOVE!

8 Big Time Mistakes

That cost you money when buying your home.


#1 Failing to use the services of an experienced REALTOR. Many times buyers avoid using the services of a REALTOR under the mistaken belief that it costs them money - or that they will be able to negotiate a better deal directly with the seller or seller's agent. This can be an expensive mistake.

If you are negotiating directly with the seller or seller's agent, you may not be taking advantage of the best deal available in the marketplace today! You can have your own REALTOR, a Buyer Broker or Purchaser's Agent, who is committed to using the experience gained through hundreds of successful negotiations for your benefit - at no charge to you! Your agent can be paid from the same commission that the seller's agent is paid from - by the seller.

Real Estate is a unique business, where an agent with one day's experience and no sales gets paid the same as an agent with several years experience and hundreds of successful sales. An experienced agent can help you avoid the other costly mistakes outlined here, and make your home buying experience an enjoyable, stress-free one!

#2 Not knowing who the agent is really working for. It is important for buyers to know and understand for whom the agent helping with the house hunting is actually working. The agent may be working as a sub agent - representing the seller's best interests during negotiations - or as your agent representing your best interests during negotiations. If you are not sure who your agent is working for - ask for clarification. Your REALTOR must fully explain agency. When negotiations commence, wouldn't you want to know whether information you divulge will be used for the seller's benefit - or your's?

#3 Failing to have a Comparative Market Analysis prepared before offering. Before you make an offer to purchase that special home, you must have a good idea what the market value is to ensure you do not overpay. Your agent can prepare a Comparative Market Analysis showing what similar homes have recently sold for, and the difference between the asking and selling prices. This is the same type of report the seller receives when deciding on an asking price. Wouldn't you like to have access to the same information as the seller?

#4 Failing to recognize different negotiating styles and strategies. Many buyers think that the way to achieve a fair purchase price is by offering low. This is the strategy of the buyer who is not in possession of all the facts essential to negotiating the best possible deal. Many times that type of strategy will polarize negotiations and lead to inflexibility on part of the seller - or worse yet - failed negotiations!

If you have chosen your REALTOR wisely, the most effective strategies for this particular situation will be revealed to you. Remember, in the real estate business, an agent with many successfully closed transactions usually costs the same as someone who is inexperienced. That experience could mean a better deal at the negotiating table with a minimum amount of hassles.

#5 Failing to have the home inspected by a competent home inspection company. Buying a home is a major purchase usually made after spending just half an hour looking at the home. Isn't it worth ensuring you will not be surprised later with deficiencies costing thousands? Your REALTOR can recommend several reputable companies for you to choose from, and will ensure the appropriate clause is inserted in the offer.

#6 Not knowing and understanding your rights and obligations set out in the Offer To Purchase. It is important to understand completely the terms of the Offer to Purchase. Wrong assumptions, poorly written or missing clauses, and not understanding how the clauses affect the purchase, can lead to increased costs or a void contract. An experienced REALTOR can thoroughly explain the agreement to you and help you to fulfill your contractual obligations.

#7 Letting emotion blind reason. Buying a home is an exciting time and is usually an emotional decision. It is important that those emotions be validated by facts and reason. An experienced agent will help to remove the emotion from the negotiating process and provide you with the information you need to make the right decisions.

#8 Failing to take the steps to be financially pre-qualified, and having an interest rate guarantee before looking at homes. Knowing how much you can comfortably afford will ensure you are looking in the right price range and prevent you from buying a home that will strain you financially and emotionally. Having an interest rate guarantee will protect you in times of fluctuating rates and ensure that your initial projected payments do not suddenly escalate, resulting in extra interest charges. An experienced REALTOR can help you initiate this process and can also recommend alternative sources of financing.

Being aware of these Big Time mistakes will help ensure you receive best value for your dollar when the time comes to buy your home!